Spurgeon: June AM
* 06/07/AM
"Ye that love the Lord hate evil."
--Psalm 97:10
Thou hast good reason to "hate evil," for only consider what
harm it has already wrought thee. Oh, what a world of mischief
sin has brought into thy heart! Sin blinded thee so that thou
couldst not see the beauty of the Saviour; it made thee deaf so
that thou couldst not hear the Redeemer's tender invitations.
Sin turned thy feet into the way of death, and poured poison
into the very fountain of thy being; it tainted thy heart, and
made it "deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked."
Oh, what a creature thou wast when evil had done its utmost with
thee, before divine grace interposed! Thou wast an heir of wrath
even as others; thou didst "run with the multitude to do evil."
Such were all of us; but Paul reminds us, "but ye are washed,
but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the
Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." We have good reason,
indeed, for hating evil when we look back and trace its deadly
workings. Such mischief did evil do us, that our souls would
have been lost had not omnipotent love interfered to redeem us.
Even now it is an active enemy, ever watching to do us hurt, and
to drag us to perdition. Therefore "hate evil," O Christians,
unless you desire trouble. If you would strew your path with
thorns, and plant nettles in your death-pillow, then neglect to
"hate evil"; but if you would live a happy life, and die a
peaceful death, then walk in all the ways of holiness, hating
evil, even unto the end. If you truly love your Saviour, and
would honour Him, then "hate evil." We know of no cure for the
love of evil in a Christian like abundant intercourse with the
Lord Jesus. Dwell much with Him, and it is impossible for you to
be at peace with sin.
"Order my footsteps by Thy Word,
And make my heart sincere;
Let sin have no dominion, Lord,
But keep my conscience clear."